Health Library

Health Library

Anemia

What is anemia?

Anemia is a common blood disorder that occurs when there are fewer red blood cells than normal, and there is not enough hemoglobin transported to supply the body:

Hemoglobin. This is the part of red blood cells that distribute oxygen from the lungs to tissues in the body and carries carbon dioxide back to the lungs to be removed from the body.

Hematocrit. The measurement of the percentage of red blood cells found in a specific volume of blood.

Anemia is often a symptom of a disease rather than a disease itself. Anemia usually develops due to the presence of one of the following:

Excessive blood loss or hemorrhaging

Deficient production of red blood cells

Excessive red blood cell destruction

Both decreased production and excessive destruction of red blood cells

Sequestration (the pooling of red cells in the spleen, an organ in your abdomen that helps fight infections)

What are the symptoms of anemia?

Most symptoms of anemia are a result of the decrease of oxygen in the cells or hypoxia. Because red blood cells, as hemoglobin, carry oxygen, a decreased production or number of these cells result in hypoxia. Many of the symptoms will not be present with mild anemia as the body can often compensate for gradual changes in hemoglobin.

The following are the most common symptoms for anemia:

Abnormal paleness or lack of color of the skin

Increased heart rate

Breathlessness, or difficulty catching a breath

Lack of energy, or tiring easily (fatigue)

Dizziness, or vertigo, especially when standing

Headache

Irritability

Irregular menstruation cycles

Absent or delayed menstruation

Sore or swollen tongue

Jaundice, or yellowing of skin, eyes, and mouth

Enlarged spleen or liver (splenomegaly, hepatomegaly)

Slow or delayed growth and development

Impaired wound and tissue healing

The symptoms of anemia may look like other blood disorders or medical problems. Because anemia is often a symptom associated with another disease, it is important for your child's doctor to be aware of symptoms he or she may be experiencing. Always consult your child's doctor for a diagnosis.

What causes anemia?

Generally, anemia may be caused by several problems, including the following:

Infection

Certain diseases

Certain medications

Poor nutrition

What are the different types of anemia?

Iron deficiency anemia

Megaloblastic (pernicious) anemia

Hemolytic anemia

Sickle cell anemia

Cooley's anemia (thalassemia)

Aplastic anemia

Chronic anemia

How is anemia diagnosed?

Anemia may be suspected on a complete medical history and physical exam of your child, such as complaints of tiring easily, pale skin and lips, shortness of breath, or a fast heartbeat. Anemia is usually discovered during a medical exam through blood tests that measure the concentration of hemoglobin and the number of red blood cells.

In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, other tests may include:

Additional blood tests

Bone marrow aspiration and/or biopsy. A procedure that involves taking a small amount of bone marrow fluid (aspiration) and/or solid bone marrow tissue (called a core biopsy), usually from the hip bones, to be examined for the number, size, and maturity of blood cells and/or abnormal cells.

Treatments for anemia

Your child’s health care provider will figure out the best treatment based on:

How old your child is

His or her overall health and medical history

How sick he or she is

How well your child can handle specific medications, procedures, or therapies

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